(185-46-3) Power Supplies
A power strip with built-in surge suppression.
AC power spikes are more destructive than sags because spikes (surges) can damage sensitive components in computers. What relatively inexpensive device can help protect a computer against power spikes?
The user is unable to turn off the system before the operating system is shut down.
Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) power supplies use soft power, which is controlled by commands from the motherboard. What is the benefit of using soft power?
In the basic input/basic output (BIOS) setup, aka CMOS setup.
Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) power supplies use soft power, which is controlled by commands from the motherboard. Where are the important settings for ATX soft power?
960 watts
It is suggested that a computer's power supply be cable of proving at minimum, 12 volts DC with 80 amps. What would the minimum power rating be in watts?
Mostly to support fans, hard drives, and secondary supplementary equipment.
Molex connectors are among the many connectors used for power connections from Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) power supplies to what devices in a computer?
Voltage spikes or surges.
The AC power connected to a computer can be most destructive to a computer as the result of what?
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approval and labeling, a reset button or breaker, and protection on communications lines, phone/DSL, cable TV, Ethernet, etc.
To protect a computer from power surges, what features should a good surge suppressor have?
The minimum computer power supply wattage should be more than the total wattage of all the devices connected to the computer system
Wattage is an important consideration for any computer power supply. When acquiring a computer power supply what are the considerations for wattage?
No computer lights, fans, hard drive spinning, etc., smoke or popping sounds emit from the computer, a burning smell is detected, and the motherboard is likely damaged.
What are the symptoms of a catastrophic computer power supply failure?
How well the power supply converts input voltage and current into output power.
What does the efficiency of a computer power supply measure?
Modular connectors prevent tangling of unused power cables.
What is the benefit of a computer power supply that has modular connectors?
Rails are electrical circuitry that isolate different types of power outputs so that one power connection doesn't take from the others.
What is the purpose of rails in a computer power supply?
10%.
When using a voltmeter to diagnose a potential computer power supply problem, what is the maximum acceptable variance from the specified DC voltage levels?
Voltage
Which element of electricity represents potential, analogous to water pressure behind a dam?
